Letter to the editor: Shapiro should restore funding to Real Alternatives

The move by Gov. Josh Shapiro to defund Real Alternatives and pregnancy centers will be to the detriment of the health and safety of women and unborn babies throughout Pennsylvania.

Pregnancy centers offer non-judgmental support and direct women to resources for housing, addiction, health care, insurance and supplies. Clients are offered ultrasounds and parenting education programs. We have rooms filled with free baby supplies. We empower women with knowledge on all options so that they are fully informed before making a decision.

Everyone who values women’s health should pay attention to what’s happening with the push to promote self-­administered abortion with the “abortion pill.” A decision that was once “between a woman and her doctor” and once considered “safe, legal and rare” has moved to a DIY method. The pill takes less than three minutes to order online, and there is no requirement for an exam, prescription or ID. Anyone can order these pills for under $50. Go to PlanCpills.org for a very eye-opening experience.

I call on our governor to restore funding to Real Alternatives. I call on our pro-life communities to reach out and learn how to partner with pregnancy centers so we can help empower women to choose life. Other organizations can offer free diapers and baby clothes, but pregnancy centers are the only organizations that will stand for life 100% of the time and empower a woman to know and embrace the life within her womb and walk with her in compassion.

Andrea Pritts

Connellsville

^

The writer is executive director of Alternatives.Yes Pregnancy Support Center.